Tardif, 26, was the Griffins’ captain for the past two seasons. Last year, he set career highs with 27 goals, 27 assists and 54 points in 77 games. That tied him for third on the team in scoring with Francis Pare.

Tardif also led the team with 10 power-play goals last season.

He was a stellar leader and willing to do anything to help the team, but he also was stuck behind a logjam of forwards in Detroit.

In four and a half seasons with the Griffins, he had 78 goal and 76 points in 316 games.